Available online
Description
The science of oceanography necessitates data collection at sea, and to illustrate some of the general techniques involved, this first programme for the course was filmed at sea, on board two of th...e Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) research vessels, the Corella and the Clione. The MAAFF scientists involved are interested in two different areas of research in monitoring the fish stocks and in improving the efficiency of the gear used to catch fish. the techniques they use include plankton sampling, monitoring the temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyllia, and pH of the water in which the fish and plankton live, collecting water samples, trawling and using a highly sophisticated sector scanning sonar device. In addition all data collection at sea depends on accurate position fixing and knowing the depth of water so a section of the programme is devoted to navigation and echo sounding.
The science of oceanography necessitates data collection at sea, and to illustrate some of the general techniques involved, this first programme for the course was filmed at sea, on board two of th...e Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) research vessels, the Corella and the Clione. The MAAFF scientists involved are interested in two different areas of research in monitoring the fish stocks and in improving the efficiency of the gear used to catch fish. the techniques they use include plankton sampling, monitoring the temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyllia, and pH of the water in which the fish and plankton live, collecting water samples, trawling and using a highly sophisticated sector scanning sonar device. In addition all data collection at sea depends on accurate position fixing and knowing the depth of water so a section of the programme is devoted to navigation and echo sounding.
| Module code and title: | S334, Oceanography |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S334; 01 |
| First transmission date: | 1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Jean Nunn |
| Contributors: | James Balfour; Gordon Baxter; Ian Gass; Roy Harden Jones; John Nichols; Pat Scholes; Tom Sellars |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Copepod; Danlenos; Decca navigation; Echinoderm; Echo sounding; Environmental monitoring; Nansen water bottle; Plankton sampling; Sector scanning sonar; Thermocline |
| Footage description: | Over still shots of H.M.S. Challenger and several modern oceanographic research vessels, Ian Gass introduces the programme. Film shots of Lowestoft harbour taken from the research vessel Corella as she puts to sea. Ian Gass explains, briefly, the type of research which this vessel carries out. Film shots of James Balfour (ship's captain) and Pat Scholes (chief scientist) planning the voyage. Ian Gass points out, very briefly, the importance of knowing, accurately, one's position at sea. Capt. Tom Sellers explains, in some detail, the methods used by ocean going vessels to fix their position at sea. Shots of charts, diagrams and instruments as he talks. John Nichols explains why and how data on plankton distribution is collected. Shots of a plankton sampler. Nichols points out its component parts. Film shots of the sampler being launched and of a temperature data trace being plotted from the sampler. Nichols goes on to look at the method used to analyse sea water at a depth of four meters. The probe used measures salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Film shot of the equipment and of a data trace as he talks. Gordon Baxter demonstrates the Nansen reversing water bottle which is used to take temperature and water samples from known depths. Shots of readings being taken from the bottles. Ian Gass and John Nichols, aboard ship, examine some of the zooplankton brought up by the plankton sampler. Some shots of the plankton are under magnification. Shots of the trawl which is used to sample some of the larger animals in the food chain such as fish. Shots of a sonar scan which shows fish entering the net. Film shots of the trawl being hauled back on board. Pat Scholes examines the catch. Roy Harden Jones, on deck of the Clione, stands next to a high resolution scanning sonar and explains how the device works. Ian Gass over shots of a sector scanning trace explains what this type of device is used for. Ian Gass sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72714 |
| Production number: | FOU1586F |
| Videofinder number: | 479 |
| Available to public: | no |
